Control device



Jan. 29, 1957 w. E. BROWN ET AL 2,779,827

CONTROL DEVICE 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1954 IIIIIIIIIIIIIAttorney jam. 9, 195? w. E. BROWN ET AL CONTROL DEVICE Filed Sept. 22,1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONTRGL DEVICE William E. lirown and Harold V.Eliiott, Anderson, IntL, assignors to General Motors Corporation,Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application September 22, 1954,Serial No. 457,74ti 3-Clairns. (Cl. 200-4) This invention relates tocontrol devices and is particularly directed to a combination switch foruse on automotive vehicles and the'like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch with areciprocal and longitudinally movable rod that is adapted to control atleast one switch means during its longitudinal movement and twoindividual switch means during its rotary movement irrespective of thelongitudinal position of said rod.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a switch witha rod that when moved longitudinally will actuate one switch means andwhich when rotated will actuate another switch means throughout'itsrange of rotation irrespective of the longitudinal position of the rod.Said rod being adapted when rotated to a predetermined angular positionto actuate a third switch means which yieldably maintains and indicatesthe angular position of the rod.

It is a still further object-of the present invention to provide a camsurface in a switch that is actuated by a rotatable longitudinallymovable rod that is adapted to control a plurality of different circuitsas when said rod is moved longitudinally for actuating one switch meansand rotatably moved, irrespective of the longitudinal position of therod, for actuating two other switch means, one of which is actuated onlywhen the cam surface on said rod is turned to a predetermined positionand the other of which is actuated when the rod is rotated to anyposition.

A more specific object of the present invention is to slidably andnonrotatably mount an insulating carrier'on a rotatable rod that isadapted to be longitudinally moved foractuating one switch means, saidcarrier being adapted when rotated by said rod for moving a movablecontact across the stationary contact portions of a rheostatic switchmeans and having a camming surface on its periphery that is adapted tomove another switch means that yieldably holds the rod against rotationwhen the rod is rotated to a predetermined angular position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the combined switch embodying the features ofthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the switch shown in Figure l, partly inelevation and partly in horizontal section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken along line 33of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale, taken along line 4-4of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in section along line 5-5 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in section taken along line 6.6 in Figure5.

States Patent 9 Patented Jan. 29, 195? Figure 7 is a fragmentary viewpartly insection taken along line 77 in Figure 2 showing one of theswitch means in a closed circuit position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section along line 7-7 inFigure, 2, showing oneof the switch means in an open circuit position.

Referring to Figure f the drawings, the numeral 18 designates achanneled generally L-shape bracket having two leg portions 20 and 21wherein a channel is formed by a pair of upturned sides 22 of the. legportion 29 thereof; Thebracket 18 is adapted to be attached to a supportor dashboard 23. The support'23 and the leg 21 have aligned openings,the opening in the leg 21 has a tubular portion orcollar 24 which isgenerally threaded to receive an external shank of. a'fiange bushing 25.The leg 21 is formedwith an outwardly extending tang 26' which fits intoa recess in aperture support 23. Thetang 26 prevents the bracket 18 fromturning relative to the support when the shank of the bushing isthreaded into collar 24 to'clamp the'leg 21 of bracket 18 firmly againstthe face of the support 23:

The leg 29 ofthetbracket supports a rheostat support body 30 of theinsulating material having reduced portions 31and 32 which formshoulders 31A and 32A. The portion 31 is adapted to project through anopening 33 in leg -2)'so that'shoulder 31A rests thereon. The bodyStlhasan opening 103 wherein a flanged bushing 16% is supported which inturn supports elements to be hereinafter described. The body 30 includesa groove 29 formed concentrically in the body member 33 that isconcentrically' arranged with bushing 100;

The leg 20 also forms a closure for a switch casing 40. In thisinstance, the casing 46 is generally rectangular in form having a topwalliil, side walls 42 and 43.

and end wall 44. The end wall 44 is formed with a slot 45- arranged inalignment with the bushings Z5 and 100 when-all parts of the switch areassembled on the bracket 18, The casing 40 includes a pair of contactswhich are electrically connected with one another by a bracket 51 and anumber of spaced, stationary contacts 52, 53, and 54, in parallelrelation with the stationary contacts 50. The contacts 5t), 52, 53 and54 are all flush with the inner surfaces of the wall 41. The wall 41 isextended beyond the side wall 43 and the end wall 44 to form a platform55. The wall 41 and platform 55 have a plurality of upright walls orbarriers and an end wall 61 extending outwardly thereupon. The wall 61is formed with a laterally extending boss 62 having a recess or cavity63 therein adapted to receive and cooperate with the reduced portion 32of the body member 30 which is clamped to the bracket 18 thereby whenthe various parts are assembled.

The upright walls 60 form a plurality of individual compartments, fourof which contain metallic receptacles 67 which are adapted to receivethe well-known spade type terminals'and one of which includes a fuserecep tacle 69. The terminals and receptacles are electrically connectedwith the various contacts 52, S3 and 54, for example, by riveting. Thewalls 60 are provided to pre vent short circuits caused by tools orwires being laid over the platform 55. These walls 60 also improve theinsulating qualities of the structure.

Within the switch casing 46 is a .slidable contact or switch membercarrying a spring pressed contact member 76 which selectively contactsthe contacts 50, 52, 53 and 54. The slidable member 75 is controlled bya rod 77 which passes through and drivingly engages the bushing andwhich then passes through the slot 45 in end wall-44 of the casing andfinally engages the slidable switch member 75. The end of the rod 77includes an annular groove 79 into which snaps a hook member 81 which isnormally held in engaging position with rod 77 and may be released whena plunger 85 is compressed against the external spring 83 which ispositioned between the plunger member 85 and a portion of the casing 40.Thus when it is desired to remove the rod 77, the plunger 85 is pressedinwardly against spring 83 so that the hooklike member 81 is pivoted inswitch member 75 and the hook member 81 is then released from engagementwith the groove 79 whereby the rod 77 may be pulled outwardly fromdisengagement with the slidable contact part 75.

Thus it will be noted rod 77 has a dual control function. By moving therod longitudinally outwardly and inwardly, it is possible to move thesliding switch member 75 into various contacting positions so that itssliding contact 76 engages the several switch contacts in the casing 40whereby the headlights, parking lights, etc. may be selectivelycontrolled. Simultaneously it is possible to rotate the rod 77 withoutregard to its longitudinal position whereby other switch means that willbe hereinafter described may be controlled without changing the positionof switch member 75 since the rod may be rotated in the hook member 81.

It will be noted that when bracket 18 is assembled to casing 40 by meansof screws 87, the sliding switch member 75 is yieldably held in positionand that simultaneously, the rheostatic body 30 is clamped between thebracket 18 and the cavity or recess 63. Simultaneously the cavity switchcasing 40 which includes a slidable member 75 is closed. Thus thisassembly of the switch through the assembly of the bracket holds thevarious parts in a predetermined aligned position while simultaneouslyclosing the open cavity portions thereof.

The switch mechanism may also include a terminal circuit breaker notedas 89 which makes or breaks the circuit according to the load wherebywhen an overload is placed on any of the circuits passing through theswitch,

the bimetallic element of the circuit breaker heats and breaks thecircuit, reestablishing the same upon cooling.

The electrical connections between the rheostat body 30 and the switchbody 40 are particularly shown in Figure 6. In this instance, a contactmember extending through the switch casing 40 and molded therein isnoted as 91. A second similar member is also included which ispositioned so as to not be shown in Figure 6. These contacts are bentdownwardly as depicted and present a pair of contacting surfaces. Therheostat 30, see Figure 6, includes two spring ears 93 and 95, rivetedor otherwise suitably connected to one end of the rheostat coil 96fitted Within the groove in the rheostat body 30 and a rotor orcontacting element 97. The spring ears 93 and 95 preferably includerounded portions at the free ends thereof so that when the portion 32 ofthe rheostat 30 is slipped within the cavity 63 in the switch casing 40,the contacts 93 and 95 resiliently wipe and make contact with the fixedmembers 91. When the bracket 18 is fixed in secured position with thebody member 40 and with the extending portion 31 of the rheostat in theaperture 33, the electrical connection is complete. It is apparent thatwhen the rheostat body is to be replaced or repaired, it is a simplematter to remove the bracket, slip the rheostat from its position, makethe necessary repairs or adjustments and then slip the rheostat bodyback into place whereby all the electrical connections are reestablishedwithout the necessity of the use of binding posts or other conventionalconnecting means. I

Referring specifically to Figures 6-8 the switch means as controlledwhen shaft 77 is rotated are shown. These switch means are dependent intheir motivation upon rotation of the shaft 77 without regard to thelongitudinal position thereof and are actuated by a rotor or bushing100, preferaby formed of insulating material, which is keyed to rod 77by a flat portion 162 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and slidablethereon.

The bushing or carrier has an annular flange 104 formed on itsmid'portion. One end 106 of bushing 100 is sized to be received in anextended through an opening 108 in rheostat body 30. The other end 110of the bushing 100 has a cam 112 formed on its outer periphery, thepurpose, shape and function of which will be hereinafter described.

The rotor 97 of the rheostat is of spring metal and has a crescentshaped slot 116 therein and a depressed central portion 118 on the outerrim. This depressed portion 118 rides on the wire coil 96 as the rotor97 is turned through bushing 100 by shaft 77.

Surrounding opening 108 is an annulus 120 of conducting material whichis electrically connected with the spring ear 95. The side 122 of therotor 97 opposite from the depressed portion 118 is also slightlydepressed so that when the rotor 97 is in position on bushing 160 andnonrotatably held thereon by ears 124 which extend into notches 126 asformed in bushing 100, see Figure 6, flange 104 will press depresesdportions 118 and side portions 122 of the rotor 97 into contact withcoil spring 96 and the metal annulus 126 respectively so as to form acontact therebetween and as the depressed portion 118 rides over coilspring 96 and forms a switch means wherein more'or less electricalresistance will be included in the circuit with which the rheostat isassociated dependiug upon the direction of rotation of the rod 77. Theend 106 of bushing 100 is serrated and circumferentially grooved so thata holding washer 128 may be snapped into the groove to hold the bushing100 reasonably tight against end play. Any end play which may existafter the washer 128 is applied is taken up by the springy rotor 97. I

The raised cam 122, which is formed on the periphery of end 110 ofbushing 100, is provided with a raised pimple 130 and a dimple 132adjacent the root of the raised cam surface 112 where it is joined tothe periphery of the end 110 of the bushing.

The dimple 132 will permit the contact arm 134, which is spring biasedupwardly toward the bushing 100 to first raise slightly and then bedownwardly moved as the inclined surface 136 of the V-shaped identation13 of arm 134 is engaged by the surface 140 of cam 112 when the bushing100 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 8 tothe position shown in Figure 7. When the apex 142 of the V-portion 138passes over the pimple 130, the contact 144 on the end of arm 134 willbe pressed into grounding contact with the leg portion 219 of supportbracket 18. A further rotation of bushing 100 will cause the apex 142 toseat on the fiat surface 146 of cam 112 adjacent the pimple 130.

This represents the furthest point to which bushing 106 may be rotatedfor at this point a stop 148, formed on C-spring 128 engages a surfaceof a stop 150, as formed in the rheostat body 30. When the bushing 10%has reached this position the detent 118 will be in contact with thecontact 152, as associated with spring ear 93, and the bushing will beyieldably prevented from rattling and moving in a counterclockwisedirection by the pimple 130 which is held by the apex 142 of the springarm 134.

The spring arm 134 is secured to the rheostat body 31 and is connectedto a terminal 154 which may be of the bayonet type if desired.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that we have provided a combinationswitch which is easy to assemble and which will control a plurality ofcircuits to a signal actuating rod and wherein the assembly of thepocket.

This structure presents a compact, neat appearing device, that is easyto install andsimple to service when the occasion demands. It furtherprovides a combination control device wherein a multiple switch positionis achieved when the rod is moved longitudinally and wherein a rheostatis controlled which may connect it with the panel lights of the vehiclewhen the control rod is rotated to any number of. positions and further,wherein the control rod when rotated to a predetermined position willcause a grounding of one of the switch means which may be associatedwith the dome light of the vehicle while simultaneously minimizing theresistance in the panel light circuit so that the great amount ofillumination will be present in the vehicle wherein the switch isinstalled. It is apparent that the switch means wherein the dome lightis controlled may be modified so that rather than grounding the circuitto the frame of the switch, a separate insulated contact may be providedfor controlling the circuit it so desired.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A switch for controlling a plurality of circuits, comprising; arotatable rod longitudinally movable for moving a first switch means forcontrolling at least one circuit, a second switch means controlled whensaid rod is rotated within predetermined limits independently of thelongitudinal position thereof, a reciprocating third switch meanstransversely spaced from said rod and controlled when said rod isrotated to a predetermined position independent of its longitudinalposition, a stop means associated with said second switch for preventingrotation in one direction of said rod beyond said predeterminedposition, and yieldable means associated with said third switch meansfor yieldably preventing relation in the other direction when said rodis rotated to said predetermined position.

2. A switch for controlling a plurality of circuits, comprising; arotatable longitudinally movable rod, a first switch means adapted to beactuated when said rod is longitudinally moved, a second switch meansadapted to be actuated when said rod is rotated within predeterminedlimits irrespective of the longitudinal position thereof, areciprocating third switch means transversely spaced from said rod andadapted to be actuated irrespective of the longitudinal position of saidrod when said rod is rotated to a predetermined position, a stopmassociated with said second switch for preventing rotation in onedirection of said rod beyond said predetermined position, and ayieldable means on said third switch means for yieldably preventingrotation of said rod in the opposite direction when the rod is in saidpredetermined position.

3. A switch for controlling a plurality of circuits, comprising; arotatable longitudinally movable rod, 21 first switch means adapted tobe actuated by the longitudinal movement of said rod, a second switchmeans adapted to be actuated by the rotary movement of said rodirrespective of the longitudinal position thereof, a reciprocating thirdswitch means transversely spaced from said rod adapted to be actuated bysaid rod irrespective of its longitudinal position when said rod isrotated to a predetermined position, a stop means associated with saidsecond switch for preventing rotation in one direction of said rodbeyond said predetermined position, and means on the third switch foryieldably holding said rod against rotation and permitting longitudinalmovement thereof when said rod is rotated to said predeterminedposition.

Tullock June 12, 1928 Hilsinger Nov. 27, 1951

